Sept. 14, 2002
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A 3-over-par final round propelled the San Diego State men's golf team to a fourth-place finish in their season-opening event, the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate. SDSU passed Texas Tech and Golf World's preseason No. 21-ranked team, Oklahoma, by shooting a final-round 291 to leave the Aztecs at 11-over 875, 11 shots behind tournament host and team champion New Mexico.
The Lobos claimed their second straight Tucker Intercollegiate title with an even-par 864 total that was paced by individual medalist Michael Letzig, who shot a 9-under total of 207 to finish three shots ahead of runner-up Ryan Moore of UNLV. SDSU finished just two shots behind second-place UNLV, Golf World's preseason No. 16 pick, and one shot behind No. 4 Arizona.
In their return to the site of the 2002 NCAA West Regional, the Aztecs exacted some revenge on the team that eliminated them in a playoff at last year's regional, Texas Tech. SDSU began the day three shots behind Texas Tech, but finished one shot ahead when the Red Raiders finished with a 7-over 295. And with all eight Mountain West teams competing, the Aztecs finished third among the conference schools.
The Aztecs' final-round push was sparked by the tandem of junior Mark Warman and senior John Lieber, who each claimed a share of 14th place. Warman shot a final-round 73 and Lieber, the only Aztec with two rounds of even-par or better, finished with a 72 as the duo was 2-over at 218.
Among the Aztecs' other team competitors, senior Lars Johansson tied for 27th at 5-over 221 while junior Gilberto Rodriguez finished in a tie for 31st at 6-over 222. Freshman Andrew Scott recorded his first even-par collegiate round to grab a share of 42nd place at 8-over 224.
Senior John Lepak, competing as an individual, completed his first tournament since redshirting the 2001-02 season with a back injury by claiming a share of 22nd place at 4-over 220.
The Aztecs return to action Oct. 7 when play begins at the Nevada Wolfpack Invitational in Reno, Nev.
Final-round scores with relation to par Sept. 13 at theWm. H. Tucker Intercollegiate, played at the par-72,7,272-yard UNM Championship Course in Albuquerque, N.M.
1. New Mexico 281-288-295-864 (E)2. UNLV 288-282-299-869 (+5)3. Arizona 284-291-299-874 (+10)4. San Diego State 294-290-291-875 (+11)5. Texas Tech 293-288-295-876 (+12)6. Colorado State 296-298-284-878 (+14)7. Brigham Young 293-295-294-882 (+18)8. New Mexico State 296-293-294-883 (+19)9. Oregon State 286-303-295-884 (+20)10. New Mexico JV 296-290-300-886 (+22)11. Oklahoma 291-291-305-887 (+23)12. Pepperdine 293-301-296-890 (+26)13. Texas El Paso 289-301-303-893 (+29)14. Colorado 303-299-301-903 (+39)15. Utah 301-306-300-907 (+43)16. Texas A&M 300-309-299-908 (+44)17. Air Force 301-302-306-909 (+45)18. Wyoming 304-303-308-915 (+51)
Top Individuals1. Michael Letzig, UNM 69-68-70-207 (-9)2. Ryan Moore, UNLV 69-69-72-210 (-6)3. Ricky Barnes, Arizona 71-69-74-214 (-2) Michael Jurgensen, OSU 70-73-71-214 (-2) Dan Swanson, UTEP 70-72-72-214 (-2)6. Stephen Carroll, Col. 74-71-70-215 (-1) Nolan Martin, Col. St. 72-72-71-215 (-1) Greg Machtaler, BYU 70-72-73-215 (-1)9. Kurt Kowaluk, Wyoming 70-75-71-216 (E) Chris Nallen, Arizona 71-71-74-216 (E) Travis Whisman, UNLV 73-72-71-216 (E)
San Diego State IndividualsT-14. John Lieber 76-70-72-218 (+2)T-14. Mark Warman 71-74-73-218 (+2)T-27. Lars Johansson 73-74-74-221 (+5)T-31. Gilberto Rodriguez 75-72-75-222 (+6)T-42. Andrew Scott 75-77-72-224 (+8)
T-22. John Lepak* 73-71-76-220 (+4)
*Competed as an individual